Customer Reviews

Thor: Ages of Thunder

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've long been a fan of Norse mythology so in turn Thor is about the best it can get in graphic novels to me except for maybe Gaiman's work. Thor: Ages of Thunder collects Matt Fraction's attempt at reinterpreting the Norse myths surrounding Thor and his brethren in a nice slightly over sized hardcover. Let me first say that the art is absolutely amazing. Although it is a different style than Alex Ross it is just as impressive in its epic scale. Each frame deserves a place in a museum.

Thor: Ages of Thunder stands apart from the rest of the Thor series' past and present so it can be enjoyed on its own without any prior introduction to past reading. This is a different Thor than depicted most elsewhere. He is tired of being the one who always has to clean up all of the other Gods problems, especially the mischievous Loki. Thor has turned into a vengeful and unforgiving God. In it Thor fights everything from frost and storm giants to zombie hordes and even Odin the all-father, which gives Zircher's art a chance to cut loose on an incredible scale.

I'd almost go as far to say Fraction's take is better than Walter Simonson's legendary long run at Thor, but I'd probably be lynched by comic book I mean graphic novels aficionados. I give Thor: Ages of Thunder 9.5 out of 10 Hats. If you are a fan of the Norse myths or just love a beautifully rendered epic give this one a try.

I just finished reading Straczynski's Thor, volumes 1 & 2 and was absolutely impressed and the two collections alone made me a bigger fan of Thor than ever before. Feeling the need for more, I found this graphic novel Thor: Ages of Thunder and couldn't wait to dive into more of the wondrous realm of the god of thunder.

The dust cover art work is really cool and the reprinted covers inside are masterfully done in such a way that you can imagine them hanging in a gallery of nerd-tastic art pieces. As for the story, well if you enjoy short stories that don't really effect the way things unravel in the next section, then you will enjoy how Fraction has written this. In my opinion, it is almost as if Joseph Campbell sat down with Fraction and collectively came up with these tales based on the old Norse myths.

Now this is just my personal taste so please take it lightly. The artwork within this graphic novel causes some mixed feelings for me. I can somewhat dig the gritty, bloody, look of certain parts but and again this just how I am, I get thrown out of the story every time the art changes and within this collection it changes every issue or so. I understand that was their intent, to bring together different artists to get a flavor that these tales span across eons of time yet to me, the change in costumes and style really kept me from truly engaging the story. Also in Part Two of Thor: Reign of Blood, Thor becomes infused with a "Blood Colossus" and during the large 2 page spread of this behemoth rising, the spread looks blurry. Perhaps that was intended but to me it made the fantastically busy and detailed artwork in the panels look toned down and kind of ruined the moment. Furthermore, the artwork in the God-Sized Special really was not my cup of tea. Now I don't mind Braithwaite's or D'Armata's work (granted they are not my favorite either) but to me, the rest of the work in that issue looks like a third rate cartoon. I get that certain parts were meant as throwbacks to older versions of Thor from the old days but I couldn't help but think that some parts looked like a parody cartoon you'd see on SNL. Finally, I didn't really dig the style it is written. Most of the time, Fraction tells the story not through characters or dialogue but simply by writing it. This keeps the feel of an old myth being told around the campfire. I didn't like it but again, if you do like short stories/quick myths, this aspect will be enjoyable.

Thor: Ages of Thunder collects many stories from the realm of Norse mythology. Keep in mind this is not the Thor we like. This Thor sleeps with many women, hordes the apples from Yggdrasil and acts like a teenage boy who doesn't care or want to agree with his father. Granted, that is who Thor is meant to be written as which causes Odin to punish him, etc. but as fair warning, don't read this expecting the noble, wise Thor as in Straczynski's work (this Thor is way before that time), read this as Thor from actual myth. I REALLY want to like this book because the idea of having these Thor myths in graphic novel form seems really cool but to me, this collection loses my enthusiasm with poorly written dialogue, narrator taking all the control and the jumpy and at times sketchy artwork. Granted I'm a reader who likes single story novels if you will, where actions proceed in the next part, etc. so as badly as I've written this review, in all honesty, if short stories appeal to you, you enjoy Thor and Norse myths and simply have time and $20 to blow, by all means check this thing out.

This is probably the most epic, metal version of Thor I have seen yet. It's a clever collection of single issue story arcs under the Thor: Ages of Thunder name. There are two artists that are present here, each one doing a half of each issue. At times, this shift in artist can be a little jarring, but it's mostly consistent. The final giant-sized issue is more jarring in the art, as there are four artists with shockingly different art styles to speak of, but that's a part of its story, and it is actually really cool. Overall, Ages of Thunder is a pretty consistent collection of fairly high quality Thor stories.

Each story is a "mature graphic novel" re-imagining of classic Norse fairy tales that you may have even grown up hearing before going to bed as a child. That said, it is worth noting that this isn't your typical Marvel Thor, who is very heroic and noble. No, this is NORSE mythology Thor, who was an arrogant, selfish jerk who caused much collateral damage and suffering without remorse while "saving the day." You may not like that, but I didn't mind at all. Since Marvel has established that countless cycles of Ragnarok have occurred, each own with its own version of Asgard and its major players, this is a refreshing way to step outside the established history for Thor and Asgard. This is a nice collection of stories that feel like plausible, cool narratives without intruding on established canon too much, and I like that. The rebuilding of Asgard's wall by a humble human, the golden apple famine from Enchantress being kidnapped, a harsh winter curse from a ice giant avenging her slain father, they're all here, plus a lot more.

Seeing as each issue is a standalone story, I can't find any fault with the storytelling. I may be 21, but when I first got into comic books, I read a lot of the Marvel Masterwork graphic novels that reprinted the Lee/Kirby/Ditko classics, and I really love that single issue format that the silver age comic creative teams implemented so well. There were no convoluted bajillion part series that moves at a snails pace with no pay-off or closure, since these days they are usually abandoned before completion anyway. Matt Fraction is infamous for this problem lately, meandering too much in his ongoing series, introducing really intriguing stories, then drudging along at snail's pace without any real pay-off. Since each story here is contained in one issue, with an underlying theme of Thor's arrogance growing and becoming too much for Odin to bear, this problem doesn't occur. In fact, it's quite the contrary, as each issue is a giant-slaying, blood-colossus-mowing-down-every-dead-person-become-evil-zombie smorgasbord of balls-out Norse god warfare action. It's pretty awesome at times, and many of the scenes that Fraction and the artists conjur up could each be the theme of an entire epic progressive rock/heavy metal band's album. There is one exception in the last, giant-sized special which was a rather poignant, but still action-packed salute to the classic Walter Simonson story about the Executioner's last stand. Its quality matches the rest.

All-in-all, this collection is consistently quite good, but not as exceptional as the Simonson run, the J.M Stracynzki run, the Lee/Kirby days, or Langridge/Samnee's exceptional "Thor The Mighty Avenger" series. I would still highly recommend Ages of Thunder to any fan of Norse fairy tale action, Thor, or epic comic books in general. Buy it, pop in an Opeth album, and enjoy the heavy metal norse action.

I must say that this is one of my favorite graphic novels ever. I have read it over and over and stared at the art many times. One other reviewer said this artwork has an epic feel, and rivals the Alex Ross epic style, and I agree. It is more like looking at paintings than cartoons, except for two small segments that are designed to intentionally give the reader the idea that they are traveling through time and dimensions. I am a Loki fanatic and if you love Loki, this book has lots of him and HER! Lady Loki is presented by several different artists and is gorgeous each time. Male Loki is done in a wonderful style, too.

I also agree with the post that says its as if Matt Fraction sat down with Joseph Campbell. Indeed! In fact, I wish so much that Campbell were here to talk about this book. The blend of ancient myths and modern art is amazing and the book is so well written.

I can't recommend it enough.

Thor: Ages of Thunder collects many stories under one cover. In fact, that is the only thing i wish would have been done better is the lenght of the book, it is too short. But i still believe this book deserves a five stars rating. The THOR in that mythology might not be the THOR we are used to, but i really enjoyed it. The shift between each stories was really well done. The Art is reflecting that shift and it works in my opinion. In fact, i though the Art was superbly done with this book. I understant this version of THOR might not be for everyone, but ultimately, if you like THOR as a whole, you should be happy with this novel.

A solid mythological story with great art!
I was curious about this Marvel character and how it muight fit into the upcoming Marvel film The Avengers. I only recently became aquainted with the Marvel characters Iron Man, Captain A, (watched Spidey and the Hulk as a kid) and have enjoyed all the films.
On it's own I think Thor is cool, in the vein of Conan. Some other comics I really like (Lucifer, Sandman series) refer to this universe also and I think so long as it stays dark and edgy (like those) it will be a solid series. However this collection is a bunch of one shots! Cool... but I remain reserved about Thor.

Coming from Straczinksi to this, my enjoyment level never dropped. This is the perfect companion to the new series that offers itself as a great backstory of Thor before he was banished to live among mortals. Reading the mythology behind Thor was fascinating, and every story in this collection is solid. Matt Fraction failed to captivate me in Invincible Iron Man, but he really really impressed me here. I ate up the writing and soaked all of the beautiful artwork will gracious eyes. The action, magic, lust, and shine of this comic makes it a classic in my collection. I definately will visit Thor: Ages of Thunder again in the near future.

If you like Straczinski's series get this and Secret Invasion: Thor. Both trades are 5 star material. If you know only a little about Thor I reccomend Vol 1. as a starting point over this. If you haven't read this yet, you need it if you are going to visit Thor. I am urging you not to miss out on this great Thor epic.

After reading the Straczynski's collection, this issue is really disappointing. No intensity at all from mister Matt Fraction. The rhythm of writing never catches you up and you never gets really involved with the storytelling, that I honestly felt was much more for teenagers than the mature and objective writing of Straczynski. The artwork also is not that great, compared to Olivier Coipel and Marko Djurdjevic. I almost stop reading and couldn't stop thinking about the three Straczynski's issues, wishing that I could get more from that incredible intensity. It is a shame, because I've being a Thor fan for more than 25 years and I hope Marvel give us more of what we got from Mr. J. Michael Straczynski.

(4.5 stars) These are eminently enjoyable tales of the Norse gods, with gorgeous art and the kind of bombastic, bat$#!* crazy storytelling that you would expect out of these kind of stories if you weren't weaned on Marvel Comics' superheroic, faux-Shakespearean dialogued Asgardian Avenger. Matt Fraction takes advantage of the recent comics' continuity idea that there are cycles of Ragnarok and thus different "versions" of the viking pantheon to give us this book that is to the regular Marvel Universe's Thor what the German fairy tale Schneewittchen is to Disney's Snow White.

Highly recommended for fans of mythology or generally kick-@$$ stories, or anyone who loves the kind of presentation that comics do as well or better than any other medium.

The strenght of this book is in the art.. Every single page is absolutely stunning, and for the art alone, this book gets a passing grade. The writing i a little more hit-and-miss (which is why it gets 4 stars), but overall it's a decent story that I don't think you'll regret buying. It should also be noted, that the book can be read with no prior knowledge about Thor, which I appreciate.